Heat Owner Arison Richest Floridian: Forbes

Miami basketball baron leads Sunshine State in annual wealth list

We knew he had to have deep pockets after the signings of LeBron James and Chris Bosh and resigning of Dwyane Wade, but Forbes has confirmed that Miami Heat owner Micky Arison is the richest man in Florida.

Forbes' annual list of the 400 richest people in the country was released Wednesday, and Arison's $4.1 billion net worth ranks at the top of the list in the Sunshine State.

The 61-year-old Bal Harbor resident ranks 69th overall, and is $.7 billion and 21 spots above the next closest Floridian, Palm Beach businessman William Koch.

Arison, who also sits at the helm of Carnival Cruise Lines, saw his wealth drop a bit from the reported $4.3 billion net worth in 2009. Perhaps it was the trio of mega-signings -- James and Bosh both at six years, $110 million, and D-Wade at six-years, $107 million -- that put a dent in Arison's bottom line.

Arison likely won't mind the money drop once the Heat start winning the bazillion or so championships some, including James himself, are predicting the team will win.

Overall, 26 Floridians made the list, which included Fort Lauderdale native and former Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga, at #170 with a $2.1 billion net worth, Subway founder and Fort Lauderdale resident Fred DeLuca, whose $1.8 billion sandwich empire put him at #221, and Miami car dealer Norman Braman, in at #269 with a $1.5 billion net worth.

At the top of the list was Microsoft founder Bill Gates. The 54-year-old is worth a whopping $54 billion.

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